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  • A World Without Heroes

  • By: Brandon Mull
  • Narrated by: Jeremy Bobb
  • Length: 14 hrs and 1 min
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (2,514 ratings)

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A World Without Heroes

By: Brandon Mull
Narrated by: Jeremy Bobb
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Editorial reviews

Brandon Mull, best known for his Fablehaven fantasy series, is back with A World Without Heroes, the first in a three-book series called The Beyonders. Mull creates an alternate world, Lyrian, which needs a hero to overturn an evil emperor. Enter Jason, an average 12-year-old Colorado kid, who falls through a hippo’s mouth and ends up in Lyrian and quickly becomes entangled in its intrigue and adventure. Rachel, a gutsy and clever homeschooler, who also unwittingly ends up in Lyrian, joins him in the quest. These two Beyonders (what Lyrians call people from Earth) attempt to find and piece together the syllables that form a secret word that can destroy the evil emperor when uttered in his presence.

Broadway actor and new narrator Jeremy Bobb shines with the varied and numerous characters. He seamlessly switches among the dozens of characters while keeping them distinct and recognizable in the dialogue-heavy scenes. However, Bobb’s performance is too low energy for the material. This flatness emphasizes some stilted writing and undermines the exciting action sequences.

In A World Without Heroes, Mull successfully creates a full, rich fantastical world. In keeping with the fantasy genre, he includes wizards and invents fun creatures, such as displacers, who can remove and reattach body parts. Though the writing is somewhat mediocre and his protagonists not fully developed, the novel is still entertaining. There are several interesting and shocking plot twists and turns that make this better than the average fantasy. Mull knows his audience and the action, humor, and fast pace are perfect for his readership. The content is age-appropriate and, with both male and female protagonists, adults can enjoy listening with their sons and daughters.

A World Without Heroes is a nice addition to the middle school fantasy genre. Mull fans and fantasy fans will love this new series. Listeners who latch onto Bobb’s character interpretation will anxiously await the next Beyonders installment. Julie MacDonald

Publisher's summary

Jason Walker has often wished his life could be a bit less predictable - until a routine day at the zoo ends with Jason suddenly transporting from the hippo tank to a place unlike anything he's ever seen. In the past, the people of Lyrian welcomed visitors from the Beyond, but attitudes have changed since the wizard emperor Maldor rose to power. The brave resistors who opposed the emperor have been bought off or broken, leaving a realm where fear and suspicion prevail.

In his search for a way home, Jason meets Rachel, who was also mysteriously drawn to Lyrian from our world. With the help of a few scattered rebels, Jason and Rachel become entangled in a quest to piece together the word of power that can destroy the emperor, and learn that their best hope to find a way home will be to save this world without heroes.

©2011 Brandon Mull (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

What listeners say about A World Without Heroes

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Fantastic!

Extremely well read. Fantastic story leaves you wanting more. Listened to it on road trips with all ages of children. It’s appropriate for all ages. Very well written series. Can’t wait to hear more!

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Great start to a wonderful story!

Great story, characters and narration! Definitely worth a credit! Nice and long, with a 3 book trilogy. Highly recommend.

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Mull classic

fun story. narrator did a good job. was way better narrator than the five kingdoms guy.

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loved the series

highly enjoyed the series and want more. easy to fall in love with the characters.

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Great Book!

I really enjoyed the story and the voices we're done well.
I'm looking forward to listening to the next book!

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Another masterpiece by Brandon Mull

I love Brandon Mull’s books, and this one is no exception. He is very good at designing worlds and populating them with interesting characters. Don’t be put off by the age recommendations, this series, and his others, can be enjoyed and appreciated by an older audience as well.

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Amazing!

Anything by Brandon Mull is fantastic but this trilogy, and this book in particular, holds a special place in my heart as it was the first of his novels I was exposed to. Believe it or not, it was recommended to me, an adult, by another adult who told me they couldn't stop listening. They were not exaggerating!

The adventurous story and the entire world are so imaginative and captivating. Brandon Mull is incredibly creative and that creativity is definitely demonstrated in the characters and races he invented who are diverse and all very special. I felt personally invested in the success of the main characters like they were actually my friends (especially by the end of book 3). I pretty much sobbed at the very end (for happy or sad reasons??? Not a spoiler! :P).

The story follow two kids, but if that concerns you let me assure you that they aren't annoying kids nor do they think and behave like utter juveniles.

This book can be easily enjoyed by kids and adults alike - clean, fun, gripping. I highly recommend it and every other Brandon Mull novel.

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Amazing book!

Such a great book! Great world building along with well rounded characters that seem real and identifiable. The Unexpected ending was marvelous!

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AMAZINGGGG

THIS IS A GREAT INCREDIBLE BOOK MUST READ BUY YOU MUST BUY BUY BUY SO GOOOOOOOOODDDD

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did not expect the ending

I absolutely love this book I have relisined to it multiple times. the story is just so good.

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